Visit the fall 2025 Parade of Homes and see how custom blinds and custom draperyenhance a home. A&S Homes features custom window coverings from Blinds are Beautiful. Enjoy picking up decorating ideas to inspire your next project.
Skylight windows invite gorgeous natural light into your home. But, there are times of day–and seasons of the year–where the direct rays coming into Winnipeg homes is not welcome. Suddenly, that beautiful light is causing squinting headaches, heat exhaustion and damaged interiors.
When you cover skylight windows with the right window coverings, you’ll experience light when and if you want it. You’ll maintain comfort, while adding a layer of protection against harsh UV rays.
Hunter Douglas Doulite Duettes, which are a type of honeycomb shade, are available for skylights. They offer the options of a room darkening or light filtering fabric for the bottom shade and a sheer shade on the top to keep the damaging effects of UV rays to a minimum. It’s two shades in one!
Make adjustments simple with a manual crank, or even better, smart shades. The innovation of automated shades allows you to make adjustments with a tap on your phone or a voice command. Set schedules, save favorites, or sync the movement with your smart home system. It’s as easy as that.
SkyLift skylight system, available on Duette® and Applause® Honeycomb Shades, is specifically suited for skylights. Choose PowerView® Automation for these shades, or manual operation with a hand crank or telescoping pole for hard-to-reach windows. Either way, the SkyLift system is perfect for very large, overhead windows. Meet with a Superblinds expert to learn more.
Windows out of reach because of their height or location, present a special challenge. Motorization is often the best solution as it provides a convenient way to enjoy easy operation of your window covering with a remote control or wall switch.
Don’t want a remote? Automate!
Did you know you don’t even need a remote to have your shades move to exactly where you want them every day, to give you the best sun control and privacy for your home? Welcome to the world of Automation!
The openness factor of blinds refers to the density of the weave in the fabric, typically expressed as a percentage. It indicates how much light and visibility is allowed through the blind. A lower openness percentage means a tighter weave, blocking more light and offering more privacy, while a higher percentage indicates a looser weave, allowing more light and visibility.
1% Openness Factor
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1% Openness Factor
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Opacity
Opacity refers to the amount of light that passes through a fabric.Sheer fabrics allow for the most light to enter a room, but they offer the least amount of privacy. On the other end of the spectrum, blackout fabrics block nearly all light from entering a room, and they provide the most privacy
People prioritize privacy from window coverings in the evening primarily for safety and security, as well as to improve sleep quality and maintain personal boundaries. At night, when interior lights are on, window coverings help prevent outsiders from seeing inside. The opacity of the fabric on your window will determine how much coverage you receive. Take a look at what various opacities look like from the outside into the home, in the photos below.
Sheer Street View at Night
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Top Down/Bottom Up
People love top-down/bottom-up shades because they offer a unique combination of light and privacy control, allowing for flexible light management and maintaining privacy simultaneously. This design allows you to adjust the shade from the top or the bottom, or both, providing options not available with traditional blinds.
Top Down Features
Daylighting Across the Ceiling
Interior Protection from Harsh UV Rays
Privacy with Natural Light
Natural light improves your mood & the atmosphere of your home. But, what about privacy? Even more, direct light enters, increasing the temperature and causing glare. It’s time you said “enough is enough” with top down bottom up shades. Most of the window stays covered for privacy and light control, while natural light flows in across the ceiling to illuminate the space. Enjoy the ideal balance of light & control in your home.
Daylighting
Natural light crosses the ceiling and illuminates the space. This is called daylighting, and it’s a well-loved feature of top down shades. Just by lowering your shades from the top, you can have all the benefits of covered windows while enjoying mood-boosting sunshine. Reduced glare, no direct rays in your eyes, privacy and energy savings.
Privacy
Just because you have street-level traffic outside your windows, doesn’t mean you have to give up privacy. Not only that, but you don’t have to give up your sky views or natural light, either. Bring the shades down enough that you can have the best of both worlds–a cozy, private feeling on the inside with natural light that easily puts you in a good mood.
Custom Adjustments
Put your shades right where you need them when you combine the Top Down/ Bottom Up feature with PowerView Motorization. Lower from the top. Raise from the bottom. Lower from the top AND raise from the bottom. It’s customization at each and every window that makes these shades so unique. You design the way your room looks and feels. Experience a personalized atmosphere you will love!
